Located on the western Wanhua District of Taipei and is easily accessible via Taipei’s efficient MTR system, Ximending is often referred to as the Shibuya of Taipei. Looking at its massive street crossing, one can immediately see the semblance.
Here, you can find many of Taipei’s hotels, night clubs and pubs which add to the vibrancy of the city. This is also where one can find Taipei’s vibrant and colourful gay district but the biggest draw to Ximending is its popular night market.
Taipei is known for its many exciting night markets and one of the most popular for foodies and explorers alike is the night market at Ximending.
Located at the Ximending Pedestrian Area and the many side alleys that radiate from it, Ximending’s night market is a fun romp with many trendy and main-stay Taiwanese street food. From Taiwanese-style crispy fried chicken, grilled king trumpet mushrooms, and takoyaki topped with a baby octopus, to the latest milk teas, and trendy juices, Ximending has everything to satisfy everyone’s taste and cravings.
Here are some must eats at Ximending that are sure to pique anyone’s fancy.
Blow-torched beef
I love steak and finding stalls that sell fatty, grilled beef cubes is heaven to me. What sets these beef cubes apart is how they are cooked, on a high intensity grill and torched with a blowtorch. (Yes, the kind that throws flames like a dragon.)
Each serving is quite generous and can be shared by two to three depending on their appetite. Of course the act of torching the beef to a rock and roll song was also a fun way to see your meal get prepared.
Ah Zong Mee Sua
There is nothing more filling or comfortable than having a bowl of piping hot mee sua noodles on a cold winter evening and I did just that at Ximending’s famous Ah Zong Mee Sua which is a definite must eat when in Taipei.
Located at a side street from the main pedestrian zone, Ah Zong Mee Sua’s store has no tables and no chairs, dining is done while standing up but the taste of the fragrant oyster and pig intestine noodles is truly worth the slight discomfort. The piping hot bowls of mee sua come in small and big sizes, I would suggest first timers to share a small bowl first to see if they like it before committing to a large bowl because it can be quite filling.
Grilled Taiwanese Sausage
A staple in any Taiwanese Night Market, Taiwanese sausage is sweet and savoury with each sausage-maker sporting their own secret blend of spices. Unlike the sausages we get in Macau, Taiwanese sausages are less sweet and are grilled before serving giving them a nice smokey flavour.
You can have it served with a rice “bun” or, in my case, served hot on a stick. Ximending is a truly extraordinary place to explore. With great and interesting street eats that will not break the bank.
